Monkey Paper Craft

Does your little one like to "monkey" around? This activity shows her how to invent her own monkey playmates, and hang them around the house for decoration. She will be so impressed with the agility of these amazing primates that she'll be inspired to learn all about them! This activity provides a perfect opportunity to teach her about the monkey family. Don't be surprised if she even learns how to climb trees from her furry friends!

What You Need:

What You Do:

Show your child photos and drawings of monkeys with long tails and arms.

Invite her to draw several monkeys on the poster board, with curling arms and tails.

Have your child paint the monkeys different colors before cutting them out. Remind her that her monkey buddies can be any color!

Help her cut out the monkeys.

Encourage your child to use her creativity to brainstorm where to hang them. They can be hung from lamps, walls, plants, and even each other!

Take this opportunity to discuss interesting monkey tidbits with your child. She will be delighted to learn more about her new companions!

Did You Know?

Did you know that monkeys and humans belong to the same family of mammals, called primates? There are many similarities among primates. Monkeys show friendship by holding each other’s tails, like humans would hold hands. They live in families, and some mate for life.

Monkeys and apes (chimps, gorillas, and orangutans) are not the same animal! Apes don’t have tails, and they tend to hang out at ground level. Monkeys are not as good at climbing as apes, so they live mostly high among the treetops. They enjoy swinging from branch to branch like Tarzan, although they do venture back to ground level to play and find food.

Monkeys don't just eat bananas! In reality, a monkey's diet is packed with variety. Monkeys enjoy a mainly vegetarian diet but they can also be found eating eggs, milk, reptiles, and insects.

Have you ever heard of a howler monkey? They use their throaty yell to greet and end each day. Like birds, the males howl to keep intruders away from their territory and food supply. In their native residence of Central and South America, they can be heard from up to three miles away! Howler monkeys are even considered the loudest land animal.